Gluten Allergy Symptoms Encompass 3 Different Conditions

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I often see the word gluten allergy symptoms used to describe an intolerance to gluten or a wheat allergy. However, a gluten intolerance and a wheat allergy are two different medical conditions. The term gluten allergy is a bit of a misnomer. Let me explain what that term might encompass and why it isn't a useful way to describe the gluten phenomenon.

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Wheat Allergy Symptoms

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A wheat allergy is not a gluten intolerance; this is because a wheat allergy is a histamine response more like a traditional allergy, like hay fever or a peanut allergy. When people suffer from a wheat allergy, they are specifically allergic to wheat and not to the gluten which exists in more than just wheat. They are also likely to have a more immediate response to eating something with wheat in it.

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Symptoms of a wheat allergy can include an itchy or swollen tongue, an itchy, sore throat, heartburn or indigestion, hives or a skin rash, headaches and kind of foggy mind feeling. There are more symptoms than this, but these are the symptoms that are most likely to occur right away.

Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

On the other hand, a person who has gluten intolerance may be able to eat a piece of wheat bread and not experience an immediate and obvious symptom. Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune disease not a food allergy. When someone has this gluten sensitivity, any kind and amount of gluten he or she eats will trigger his or her immune system to attack the small intestine with certain antibodies.

However, this attack can be gradual. Don't misunderstand here: this is a very serious condition and over time as these antibodies attack the lining of the small intestine (and its microvilli), the patient will develop very serious consequences. While the initial symptoms include gastrointestinal problems like gas, bloating, cramping, diarrhea and constipation, many more severe gluten allergy symptoms will occur in time, including diabetes, arthritis, ataxia and even cancer.

Celiac Disease

Until recently, if you had an intolerance to gluten, you had celiac disease. However, researchers and doctors now understand that you can test negative for celiac disease but still have a significant gluten sensitivity.

Celiac disease is basically a more severe form of gluten sensitivity where doctors are able to verify the presence of specific genes associated with the disease. Other than the context of the diagnosis and its greater severity, celiac disease is essentially the same thing as a gluten intolerance. That is, it is not a food allergy.

So you can see we have three separate conditions here, and none of them are really accurately represented by the term gluten allergy.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms Encompass 3 Different Conditions

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How to Minimize and Eliminate Allergies - The Natural Allergy Elimination

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Sometimes there is no other way to help your allergies, but to take the medication. I personally prefer natural allergy relief methods and I have been able to minimize and some people even eliminate allergies with just making some simple changes. In some instances, some natural medication work better than the proscribed, at least for me. But, the cure to eliminate allergies needs to start with us. My allergies are respiratory and sinus connected so everything I breathe has affect on me. So here is what I did!

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One of the first was to change to food I eat. I have completely eliminated the microwave food because from what I read, it can be harmful for allergy sufferers. I also changed my diet to include a lot more fruit and vegetables. I have also found different ways to boost my immune system such as taking the new fun Vitaballs vitamins and reading up on different foods that boost immune system. One great book to read is 100 top Immune System Boosters. People often do not connect immune system with allergies, but more and more people are saying that since they started working on improving their immune system, their allergies reduced. My personal belief is that when we suffer from allergies, the body recognizes this as a cold and immune system fights. This was definitely another way I was able to minimize my allergies.

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Now in addition to this I have almost completely eliminated scented candles and heavy scented cleaners. I am not sure if there is anything in the candle scent that causes allergies, but my problem was any kind of heavy scented sweet smell. The cleaning supplies and heavy chemical smell bothered me a lot too! So I started purchasing natural cleaners including the dish washing cleaners. Some of the brands for cleaners are Cleen Free and Seventh Generation. I always look for unscented products when ever I need to purchase any kind of cleaner. It works like a charm form my sinuses.

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I have also incorporated humidifier into all of this. Depending on the aria you live, you may want to get air purifier or dehumidifier. I live in the dry area so my sinuses really suffer and my allergies increase during the cold dry winter. Especially since we have heater on, this makes it even worse. Now I have my humidifier on during the night and in the office when I work. I did not connect this with my allergies right away, but it turned out I should have. This made a huge difference for me as well. I strongly believe this was another way for me to eliminate my allergies almost completely.

Incorporated into this, I use some other products as well. These products are SinuCleanse and Breathe Right Nasal strips, which are one of the top 10 natural allergy remedies for sinus sufferers. With the combination of all of this, the allergies have really improved! I have not yet been able to eliminate them completely but definitely minimize them.

How to Minimize and Eliminate Allergies - The Natural Allergy Elimination

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Enjoy The Outdoors Again With Natural Allergy Solutions

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There is nothing sweeter than that first wisp of spring air wafting through an open window or the first time you hear the crackle of fall leaves under your feet. Unfortunately, for more than 35 million Americans, these simple pleasures have come to herald another season of discomfort due to allergies.

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I'm sure most of you are well versed in prescription and over-the-counter options that promise relief in handy 12-hour increments. If you have been battling allergies for years, you have probably worked your way through many of these drugs, yet you remain unsatisfied. That is because pharmaceutical allergy medications cause side effects, like drowsiness and dry mouth that can sometimes be as unpleasant as the actual allergies!

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Relief Is Right Under Your Nose

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If you can't bear the thought of yet another season of popping expensive pills and spending all your time indoors, there is hope. There is a wide array of natural remedies for allergy symptoms and so are right in your own pantry.

The first one is simple table salt. Using a device called a neti pot that looks like a genie's lamp you can flush out your nasal passages twice a day with a saltwater solution. This will clear out any pollen and thin the mucous so you feel clearer. You can also buy a prepared saline nasal spray, which is basically the same thing.

The Spice is Right

Have you ever been to a Mexican or Indian restaurant and sunk your teeth right into a chile pepper? After you're done gulping down a cold drink and wiping the sweat from your brow, you may have noticed that your sinuses felt remarkably clear. Spices and certain aromatic herbs can actually thin the mucous in your nose, bringing welcome relief when allergies strike. Try acclimating yourself to spicier meals using cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, fenugreek, garlic and chiles in your cooking.

It's also important to keep in mind that any food sensitivities can be doubly problematic during allergy season. Steer clear of foods that cause upset stomach so your immune system can stay strong enough to combat allergies.

Alternative Treatments--Something for Everyone

There are so many alternative methods for treating allergy symptoms, that I probably can't fit them all into this article! Plus, new ones are being discovered everyday. Here is a list of the best natural allergy remedies I know:

1) Magnesium Supplements - This mineral acts as a natural antihistamine.

2) Lavender Oil -Rub this easy-to-find oil on your temples to help open nasal passages.

3) Nettle - Sold freeze-dried in capsule form, this weed naturally prevents the body from producing histamine.

4) Goldenseal - This herb, taken as a tonic or tea, has astringent and antibacterial abilities.

5) Quercetin - This nutrient is a powerful antioxidant that acts as an antihistamine. It is even more beneficial when taken along with vitamin C.

6) Omega-3 Fatty Acids - This nutrient fights inflammation that allergies can cause. It is found easily in nutritious foods like fatty fish and fortified eggs.

7) Acupuncture - This ancient Chinese therapy has been shown to relieve symptoms in allergy sufferers.

Remember to start some of these alternative therapies before allergy symptoms creep up on you. Taking quercetin supplements and eating omega-3 foods, for example, will prepare your body to handle the allergy onslaught, so start three to six weeks prior to allergy season.

Even more importantly, consult your doctor or allergist before mixing any alternative medicines with other drugs. Any new treatments, even if they are natural, should be cleared by your physician. Make this the year you will enjoy the changing seasons in all their glory!

Enjoy The Outdoors Again With Natural Allergy Solutions

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Gluten Allergies, Celiac Disease and Dairy

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Gluten is found in the protein of cereal grains. It can be found in a wide variety of foods and some people have allergies to it. Allergies to gluten are found in women more than men and tend to affect those of European descent.

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Gluten allergies can cause eczema, skin rashes, itching and hives. More severe sufferers may develop asthma. Nearly 43 percent of gluten allergy sufferers who never seek treatment will get arthritis. Fifteen percent who go on a gluten-free diet because of their allergies will get arthritis anyway.

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Celiac, also known as Coeliac is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that very often forms directly from an allergic reaction to gluten. Its symptoms are similar to those of a regular gluten allergy, but it can also cause brain dysfunction, arthritis and inflammation of the lungs. You might also notice a clay-colored greasy stool. It is much more serious than the allergies it came from and must be guarded against.

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Symptoms that gluten allergies have turned to Celiac are diarrhea, weight loss, iron deficiency, bloating, abdominal pain and malnutrition. The latter is caused by a decreased ability to absorb essential nutrients like iron and vitamins K and D. Celiac sufferers are at higher risk for esophagus, pharynx and small intestinal cancer. Fibroid lung disease seems to occur at a higher rate in gluten allergy and Celiac sufferers.

The treatment for both gluten allergies and Celiac is avoidance of gluten. There is no cure for any allergy. One must simply avoid the allergen. When doing so, it's a good idea to take some natural supplements to replace the nutrients you're missing in your gluten-free diet. They'll help build your body back up to its normal, healthy state.

So what is a gluten-free diet? It's one in which you eat no food containing wheat, oats, barley or rye in any form whatsoever. It can be difficult, but once you start finding alternatives to grains, you'll start feeling better quickly. It's important to find other tasty foods in order to keep yourself away from those that will make you sick.

It's important to note that if you have been diagnosed with a gluten allergy, it's very likely you also are sensitive to dairy products. Milk or dairy allergies are sensitivities to proteins found in cows' milk. Most cows eat a lot of grain and perhaps a link can be inferred.

Milk allergy symptoms can occur within minutes or hours after consuming the dairy product. They can be triggered by a very small amount of milk protein in the system. Like gluten allergy symptoms they can be skin reactions, like swollen lips, tongue, mouth, face or throat. They can also be digestive reactions, such as vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea. Respiratory reactions can include a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes or shortness of breath.

The needed nutrient in dairy products that must be replaced when embarking on a gluten- and dairy-free diet is primarily calcium. Aside from natural supplements, increase your intake of calcium-rich foods like seafood, spinach, broccoli and salmon.

A gluten allergy is not the end of the world. There are plenty of fresh, colorful and tasty foods that contain no grain or dairy. But you must stay vigilant to keep your allergies from turning into something much worse.

Gluten Allergies, Celiac Disease and Dairy

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Allergy Vitamins Can Now Cure Seasonal Allergies

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Allergies can make life absolutely miserable. Allergies can make you unable to go outside because you're allergic to the grass, the leaves, the trees, the pollen, the pollution, or many other outside things that are just a part of life. Indoor allergies can prohibit you from living the life you want to as well. Seasonal allergies can attack when you least expect it, leaving you unable to perform well at your job and unable to live life to the best of your ability.

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Most people with allergies have undergone several kinds of treatment from over the counter medicine to weekly shots. There are pills, drops, inhalers, and so many appointments that it can be dizzying. When all you want is relief, you will try anything to get it.

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The discouraging thing is that many of these treatments, while they provide some small relief, rarely do they actually enable you to feel and act normally. They may stop the sneezing, for example, but will often not stop the red nose and itchy eyes. A lot of allergy medications that are not emergency medications have this half-fix available.

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But what if all you had to do to begin to enable your body to fight allergens was to start a vitamin regimen? Vitamins are excellent supplements to our daily lives. Most people do not get all the nutrients they need to maintain an ideal strength. The idea behind vitamins helping with allergy symptoms is that vitamins can help build your immune system and your natural defenses.

There are several immune system boosters available, including vitamin A (which is also an anti-inflammatory), Vitamin E, grape seed extract and others. All of these have dosage information on them and there are several resources available to help you gauge how much you should take for how severe your allergies are.

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, and when taken in combination with histamine blockers like Quercitin or CoQ10, can help your body resist and react better to the typical triggers in the air. A diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce allergic reactions. These fatty acids can be found in many foods (avocado, salmon, some nuts, etc) and you can take a B5 and a digestive enzyme to help your body absorb these nutrients.

This is only a short list of the vitamins available to help with allergic reactions. The resources are endless. If you're tired of the constant medication that, more often than not, doesn't do that great of a job, it would be a great benefit to consider vitamin supplements.

Allergy Vitamins Can Now Cure Seasonal Allergies

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Allergies - How Did They Come About?

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An allergy or also known as hypersensitivity is an abnormal reaction to certain substances that usually occur naturally. If an allergic person is exposed to these substances called allergens, the body's immune system gets ready to fight them. Allergens are microscopic protein substances that are common and provoke allergic people to produce antidotes (antibodies). The most common allergy provoking substances are pollen from weeds, grass, flowers and tree, mold and mold fungus, house dust mites and pet dander.

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Where did allergies come from? How did they originate? The earliest report of allergic disease is that of King Menses of Egypt who was killed by the sting of a wasp at some time between 3640 and 3300 BC. From ancient history, Britannicus, the son of the Roman Emperor Claudius was allergic to horses and developed a rash in his eyes and swelled that he could no longer see.

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The concept of allergy was originally introduced in 1906 by the Viennese pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet. After he noted that some of his patients were hypersensitive to normally innocuous entities such as dust, pollen, or certain foods. Pirquet called this phenomenon "allergy" from the Ancient Greek words allos meaning "other" and ergon meaning "work". According to history, all forms of hypersensitivity were classified as allergies and it was caused by poor and improper immune system.

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Scientists believe allergies originated millions of years ago as a way for the human body to free itself of parasites and invading worms. The body fights these elements and other invaders by producing an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the intestines and lungs. IgE triggers immune cells to release a number of chemicals, one of which is histamine. Histamine produces hives, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching. The more a person is exposed to allergens, the more the body produces IgE and usually, allergies often get worse with age.

What causes an allergy? Allergies can be caused by just about any substance that you inhale or swallow, or that touches your skin. Today, allergies are extremely common and it continuously arises. They cause annoying symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, swollen and itchy eyes. They can also trigger other conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, ear infections and skin rashes. The most common symptom of allergies is allergic rhinitis, most popularly known as hay fever. These symptoms are similar with those of the common cold. The difference is, common cold runs for 7 to 10 days while allergic rhinitis can drag for weeks and even moths.

Allergies - How Did They Come About?

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Sinus Allergy Relief - What to Do When Allergy Attacks

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Sinusitis is a condition where the mucous membranes connecting the sinus cavities get inflamed and block air and mucous exchange. As a result air and mucous gets trapped inside the cavities or a vacuum is created. In either case a pressure is created against the sinus walls causing great pain and distress. This inflammation is often a result of allergy caused by various allergens. Some of these allergens are dust mites, pollen, second hand smoke, and perfume. Sinus allergy relief can be found by using drugs like antihistamines, decongestants, combination medicines and corticosteroids. Allergy shots are also prescribed.

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However these medications often have harmful side effects and can be costly. However relief provided by natural remedies is effective, low cost as well as free of harmful side effects. The easiest natural remedy is drinking lots of hot water drinks with apple cider vinegar or Oregon oil added to it. You can also drink basil tea and hot lemonade, they both work very well.

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For effective sinus allergy relief you can irrigate your nose with warm water and salt, you can also use powerful natural decongestant solutions like grapefruit seed extract solution. Try to sleep in air conditioned rooms as sir conditioners filter out allergens. Use humidifiers as dry air increases allergic reactions and is bad for nasal passages and avoid temperature extremes. Prohibit people from smoking inside your house and dust carpets and furniture regularly. Chewing papaya tablets can relieve the pain, by regulating mucus production. Pillow covers and bed sheets should be washed frequently, light colored polyester curtains can keep the air fresh. Pet dogs should be regularly bathed.

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Sinus Allergy Relief - What to Do When Allergy Attacks

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Allergies - How Natural Perfumes Can Cause an Allergic Reaction

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Allergies are a way of life with some individuals. Avoiding the very thing that causes their allergy is hard to do because of others in their life. Perfume is one of the most common reactors in individuals with allergic hypersensitivity. Some people actually believe that natural is better than synthetic perfumes.

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Recently, there has been a study done at the University of Gothenburg that shows that natural aromatic oils can cause contact allergy or eczema-provoking allergens. We have been told by the Aroma Therapists that the natural oils do not cause any type of reaction. This has been proven false by a real life study. Guess there will be some revisions to what goes into advertising of essential oils now.

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I have one client who is a Universal Reactor and cannot get around any form of perfume or essential oils. She leads a very lonely life but is a real life survivor of Chemical Sensitivity. She was poisoned by pesticides and is determined to move forward with her life, no matter what is thrown her way. She is an inspiration to others and helps them all to understand how to cope with their allergy.

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Natural lavender oil was studied by Lina Hagvall, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg. The results of the study showed that natural aromas or essential oils are not as healthy as reported. Her study showed that essential oils do not prevent the formation of allergenic substances. This is going to be a big blow in the theory of natural substances are healthy for us. The study showed just the opposite. I am sure that there will be some type of backlash from this study, more information needs to be uncovered for the whole story.

I personally use some of the essential oils but will be a little more careful in my selection of what to use now. Peppermint is my favorites but it will be used less now. I have one friend who is allergic to the smell of peppermint essential oil, now I know why. I thought she was just allergic to me, now I know better. Guys and Girls, you need to watch your essential oil, might be a real turn off to your partner.

Allergies can be frustrating but dealing with them is a matter of survival for some individuals. If you believe you are having a severe reaction to a natural essential oil, consult with you Doctor to get more information. This study of Lavender Oil shows that all things in Mother Nature are not always good for us.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our website.

Allergies - How Natural Perfumes Can Cause an Allergic Reaction

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Types of Allergy Tests

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It used to be if you wanted to find out what you were allergic to you had to undergo a long series of tests that could take weeks or months. If you were allergic to something unusual or rare it could take years or, more commonly, you never would find out. If your allergies were seasonal, they probably disappeared before the testing clinic found an answer and you would give up on the clinic testing and go back to life as before. Much of that procedure today has been speeded up and is more straightforward but if you are being checked for allergies there will probably still be several types of tests performed.

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There are three basic ways that a clinic or hospital can use to test you for allergies. The most commonly used is a skin test. This involves putting a small amount of the allergen on your skin. Allergen, by the way, is the medical term for the substance suspected of causing your allergy. Most often, the allergen is applied to your forearm but it could also be done on your back or upper arm. Then the skin in that area is irritated by pricking it with a needle or scratching the skin. This allows the substance to get under your skin. If you are allergic to it there will usually be an allergic reaction in less than 10 to 15 minutes. Usually the reaction just involves redness, itching and swelling of the skin but testers have to be careful with skin tests because in some cases the reaction may be severe and involve respiratory complications. A variation of the skin test is the intradermal allergy test. This test uses a small needle to inject the allergen just beneath the skin. Skin tests are usually used to identify things in the air that you inhale that might be causing your allergy or allergies to insect or animal bites.

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A second type of allergy testing is called elimination testing. This is most often used to identify food and diet allergies. In a very controlled environment, various foods are either added or removed from your diet and your reaction is monitored. Often the food is disguised in some fashion to prevent psychological factors from interfering with the test. Sometimes if you think you are allergic to something you abnormally influence the result. Obviously, this method is very time consuming and can only be used if the reactions are relatively mild.

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The third and perhaps the best method of allergy testing is the blood test. As the name implies, this involves taking a small sample of your blood and sending it off for laboratory testing. The lab procedure is complicated but basically, they will expose your blood to various allergens. If you are allergic, your blood will create what are called IgE antibodies to fight off the allergen. Depending on what kind of IgE antibodies are created and how many are created the lab can both identify your allergy and tell you how severe it is. RAST and UniCAP are the two main specific types of modern blood testing for allergies. UniCAP is almost a fully automated procedure that can check for several 100 allergens and will even assign a number from 1 to 6 to identify the severity of the allergic reaction. The major disadvantage of blood testing is it requires specialized equipment. Usually your clinic or hospital will have to mail the blood sample off and will not get results back for several weeks.

Types of Allergy Tests

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